Commerce, monnaies locales et monnaies communes dans les États hellénistiques

Abstract

In the Hellenistic period, Alexanders and other coins of Attic weight were used as common currency, but local currency didn't disappear. While several states adopted a closed or open monetary system, many cities chose a mixed system where both local and common currencies were admitted in circulation. Epigraphic and literary sources provide us interesting informations about this system, especially about public and prived use of both coinages. Some products and services could only be purchased in local currency, whereas some others were regularly paid for in common currency. Such a system was flexible and advantageous.